Former natural resources and environment minister and Padang Besar MP Azmi Khalid is set to be named as the new head of the powerful Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

A motion will be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat next week, earliest Wednesday, to seek the MPs’ endorsement for his appointment after the ministerial winding-up on the current debates on the royal address.

The opposition has nominated Kepong MP Dr Tan Seng Giaw to continue as the committee's deputy chief. His appointment is expected to be endorsed along with Azmi's.

kelau klau dam 070207 azmi khalidAzmi (photo) will take over the post from Shahrir Abdul Samad, the Johor Baru MP who was named domestic trade and consumer affairs minister after the March 8 general election.

The PAC is tasked to ensure that government funds are well-spent andcomprises both BN and opposition parliamentarians.

Commenting on his impending new role, Azmi described it as a 'very responsible task' as it involved the integrity and accountability of the government.

"I think the previous chairperson has set a good standard (on the job) [...] I hope to get the cooperation of all parties," he told Malaysiakini when met at the Parliament building lobby today.

Asked on his priorities for the new role, Azmi said he would wait for the official formation of the committee first. Its remaining members will be decided by a selection committee comprising top leaders of the different political parties in the House, he revealed.

BN’s change of heart

Among the outstanding high-profile cases pending PAC inquiry include the controversial merger of ECM Libra and Avenue Capital Resources Bhd, as well as the RM6.75 billion deal to purchase six offshore patrol vessels for the Royal Malaysian Navy.

BN was to have nominated two-term backbencher Razali Ibrahim (BN-Muar), a lawyer by training, as the new PAC chief.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz however said the ruling coalition had a change of heart after taking into consideration Azmi’s experience in government.

nazri abdul aziz looking to the right"Being an ex-minister, Azmi is a more appropriate candidate especially when the PAC deputy chair is also someone who is experienced," Nazri (photo, left) who oversees parliamentary affairs, told Malaysiakini when met.

Meanwhile, the House is also expected to form a selection committee next week to decide on candidates for three others parliamentary committees in the Dewan Rakyat.

The three committees are the House, Standing Order and Privileges committees.

The selection committee will be chaired by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia and will consist of BN component party top guns including Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, Ong Ka Ting, Bernard Dompok, Douglas Uggah Embas and S Subramaniam.

The opposition will be represented by Parliamentary Opposition Leader Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.